Can my husband withhold my medication and dispense it to me as directed? He does not believe in taking medication. I am humiliated each time I have to ask for my next dose, which he hides. I am of sound and able mind, 46 years old and married for 20 yrs. I believe this is a control issue, however I want to know if I have to turn over my medications to him every time I refill them? What can I do if this practice is illegal?

No, you have no obligation to allow him access or posession of your medications, and by doing so, you are allowing him to control you. Instead of him hiding your medications from you, you should hide your medications from him. Sound like you two have some serious marital issues. As I see it, you have three choices: 1) Get counselling; 2) Get a divorce; 3) Live with the situation.

He has no right to take your medication from you. You purchase it so do not hand it over to him. ?Ask him if he thinks it would be fair for you to take his car keys and make him beg to get them. Should you be able to tell him how to shave or use the bathroom [after all, all women thinks men are messy at that]. If he thinks you should not be taking medication, bring him along the next time you go to your Dr. and have him/her tell your husband why it is necessary. ?point out that if he does nor allow you to take the medication you may not be able to function and he will have to cook his meals, clean the house, and take care of you.

I doubt that his practice is illegalbut it is certainly irksome. You might try telling him that it is against the law to transfer possession of many prescribed medicines to another person. You could also risk telling him that you strongly object to his trying to control you as he has been doing, and that you will not stand for it anymore. You might want to find a women's support group to give you...well, support. You might also consult your prescribing doctors, and ask them to tell him to lay off.

Unless he has some court or administrative order, the medication is yours, and not his. Independent of an order of some sort giving him control, he has no right to possess or control the Rx; as a matter of fact, it is against the law. Good luck.

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